Tinley Park is set to revise its downtown parking regulations following the opening of the Harmony Square music and event venue last summer. Increased congestion prompted the change, according to Ken Howard, street superintendent. “Ever since Harmony, we’ve noticed increased congestion along the downtown parking route,” he said.
The previous commuting patterns have shifted post-COVID-19, impacting the need for certain parking limits. Marketing director Donna Framke explained that two-hour parking limits, initially set to deter all-day parking by commuters, are now outdated. “The town’s grown, and we’ve got Harmony Square, so there’s a lot of downtown activity,” added Mayor Michael Glotz.
Over time, some two-hour parking limit signs were removed, and when reinstated, they faced resident backlash. Howard noted, “A lot of longtime residents didn’t realize these ordinances existed until we put these signs up.” The village aims to amend these rules by allowing parking on only one side of the street during events for emergency access.
Initial changes will target the downtown area from 171st Street to 176th Street, addressing public safety concerns, Howard stated. Notable changes include prohibiting parking on both sides of 173rd Place during events.
Harmony Square, featuring live music and retail space, officially launched on July 18, 2025. The proposed ordinance received unanimous approval at a recent Committee of the Whole meeting and awaits a final vote from the Village Board on October 6.
Trustee Kenneth Shaw highlighted the outdated nature of the current ordinance, which includes many unclear exceptions. “We have 16 pages, I counted,” he said, noting the ordinance’s complexity.
Future updates will address other parts of the village, such as the Parkside subdivision and areas near Victor J. Andrew High School and St. George Church. Howard indicated that a comprehensive update is financially unfeasible at once, so changes will proceed gradually.
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